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Sports Tourism

The Richmond region’s status as a destination for sports enthusiasts has never been stronger than it is today. The Sports Backers aggressively pursue opportunities to expand the number and scope of sporting events held in the region each year. This long-term growth model is the major reason the Sports Backers were the first sports commission in the country awarded the Sports Commission of the Year title four times by the National Association of Sports Commissions.

The Sports Backers now own and produce 14 events each year that include some of the largest and most successful of their kind in the country. They include:

Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger

Uncorked Half Marathon & 5k

Dominion Energy Riverrock

Cougar 7v7 Field Hockey Tournament

Run Bike Relay presented by Ragnar

Anthem Corporate Run

Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride

Patrick Henry Half Marathon

Trails & Ales

Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival

Walmart Biz Bowl

Whole Foods Market Marathon Jr.

Anthem Richmond Marathon

CarMax Tacky Light Run

The Sports Backers work to support other sports tourism events owned and operated by non-profit organizations in the Richmond region. We form strategic partnerships with selected events that show significant progress for becoming major events. In 2017, we provided marketing grants to other organizations that supported over 20 events. If your organization puts on an event that you believe qualifies, submit a grant request.